The theaters in Boerne and Bulverde are offering a hit and a miss, respectively, in “Red Herring” and “The Last Precious Memories.”

Boerne Community Theatre's “Red Herring” is a real treat. The show goofs on Hitchcockian thrillers, telling a twisty tale of espionage, marriage and communism.

All but one of the actors play multiple roles, and director Christine Crowley and her cast, by and large, do a good job of making clear who's playing whom when. (One exception: It is not immediately clear that the bridal shop owner is not the mother of a recently engaged young woman.)

The cast — headed by Keisha McFerrin and Allen Rudolph as a cop and a federal agent who are romantically involved — plays it all straight, heightening the comedy.

It's a thoroughly entertaining show.

“The Last Precious Memories,” which opened last week at Bulverde S.T.A.G.E, was inspired by playwright Tim Hess' late mother and her experiences with Alzheimer's disease. Most of the elements that deal with that illness — including the terror that a diagnosis inspires — are solid, and the central thread about a one-time music superstar Rosalie (a strong turn from Karen Hogg) afflicted with it is well done.

But Hess clutters his otherwise promising narrative with a lot of stuff that doesn't quite work, including some magical realism elements involving a trio of mimes.

The best aspects of the staging, directed by Lou Garza, spring from the music. Music director Charlie Wood has assembled a first-rate band, just as he did for S.T.A.G.E.'S “Ring of Fire” last year. Those moments, which take place in a home for musicians with Alzheimer's, make one wish there was more music in the show.

“Red Herring” can be seen at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays through July 28 at Boerne Community Theatre, 907 Blanco Road in Boerne. Tickets range from $10 to $19. Call 830-249-9166 for reservations.

“The Last Precious Memories” can be seen at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays through July 29 at the Krause House, 1300 Bulverde Road in Bulverde. Tickets range from $10-$18. Call 830-438-2339 for reservations.